A compact disc (CD) player is a primary music source
component for most audiophiles, along with an AM/FM tuner and, perhaps, a
turntable. The CD player feeds its signal to the pre-amplifier, integrated
amplifier or receiver, depending on the amplification system in use. Most
modern control amplifier components have a "CD" position among the Phono,
Tuner and Aux options available for selection. If not, the Aux position will
work fine, as the output from a CD player is a high level (about two volts)
source. CD, Tape, Tuner and Aux are all high-level sources and interchangeable.
You can plug your CD player into any of these unused input jacks on the amp's
rear panel. Incidentally, "Phono" is a low-level source and a CD
player should NOT be plugged into the phono input jacks.

Most audio CD's are recorded to the "Red Book"
standard, written by Sony and Phillips in 1980, when the CD format was
introduced. Some audiophile recordings are SA-CD (Super Audio Compact Disc) format,
which requires an SA-CD player to achieve the full increase in fidelity offered
by these recordings. All SA-CD players also play standard Red Book CD's and
most SA-CD recordings will play to the Red Book standard on a conventional CD
player. SA-CD players are offered by Marantz, McIntosh, Luxman, Yamaha, NAD,
Denon and others. SA-CD has not, so far, caught on with the general public and
its future is uncertain at this writing. It may gain traction, remain an
audiophile specialty format or disappear altogether. Only time will tell. Certainly,
SA-CD has not made standard CD players obsolete; indeed, standard Red Book CD
players remain the majority in the market place.

The digital compact disc and CD player represented an
enormous advance over the long-playing (33-1/3 RPM) vinyl record and its
associated turntable. It also made the high fidelity cassette tape and its
associated play/record deck obsolete. The CD is a very high fidelity
sound source with an incredible signal to noise ratio, great dynamic range,
extreme channel separation and flat 20-20,000 Hz frequency response. There is
no hiss, rumble, wow or flutter when playing back a CD. CD's are not
indestructible. In particular, their playing surface can be scratched, but they
are far more durable and last much longer than vinyl records and tapes. Down-loadable
music forms, particularly MP3, are compressed and cannot equal the high
fidelity of CD's.

To take advantage of the inherent fidelity of the compact
disc, a component player must be sophisticated and well made. As with most high
tech products, these qualities increase the price. A cheap CD player can offer
decent sound, but it will not be the best sound and its physical construction,
particularly its CD drawer and transport system, will be flimsy. Inexpensive
players have less sophisticated power supplies, digital to analog converters
(DAC), timing clocks, error correction and inferior shielding against stray electrical
interference. For all these reasons, upscale CD players sound better and have a
much longer service life. Indeed, I used the same 1986-vintage Sony CDP-620ES
(ES was said to stand for "expensive Sony") for 25 years. Sony no
longer offers machines of that quality, but that player paid for itself many
times over and still sounds good.

CD players can be single play units, carousel changers
(usually with five disc capacity), or loaded with high capacity CD
"magazines." The carousel type, usually medium priced, are probably
the most popular, while single play units run the gamut from cheap to ultra-expensive
audiophile players in the five-figure price class.

Like other stereo components, CD and SA-CD players have
specifications that are worth noting. Brands and models that are not
accompanied by a spec sheet should be avoided on general principles. (What is
the manufacturer hiding?) Here are the specifications for a reasonably typical,
mid-priced CD player, in this case a Yamaha CD-C600, a five-disc changer that
carries a moderate 2011 MSRP of $379.95

Frequency
Response CD

2 Hz–20 kHz±
0.5 dB

Harmonic
Distortion + Noise CD

0.003%

Signal-to-Noise
Ratio CD

105 dB

Dynamic Range
CD

96 dB

Output Level
CD (1 kHz, O dB)

2 ± 0.3 V

Dimensions (W
x H x D)

17-1/8" x
4-5/8" x 16"

Weight

13.7 lbs.

Note the excellent (compared to an analog or portable
digital music source) 105 dB signal to noise ratio, 96 dB dynamic range and
2-20,000 Hz frequency response +/- 0.5 dB. Also, note the unit's 13.7 pound
weight. These are typical specifications for a component CD player, whether
single play or carousel, in this price class.

For comparison, here are the specifications for Yamaha's top
of the line CD-S2000, a single play SA-CD/CD player with a 2011 MSRP of $2499.95.

Disc
Compatibility

SA-CD, CD,
CD-R/RW (MP3, WMA)

Frequency
Response

CD

2 Hz--20 kHz

Super Audio CD

2 Hz--50 kHz
-3dB

Harmonic
Distortion

CD (1 kHz)

0.00002

Super Audio CD

(1 kHz)
0.0017%

Signal-to-Noise
Ratio

CD/Super Audio
CD

116 dB

Dynamic Range

CD

100 dB

Super Audio CD

110 dB

Output Level

CD/Super Audio
CD (1 kHz, O dB)

2 ±0.3 V

Dimensions

(W x H x D)

435 x 137 x
440 mm; 17-1/8” x 5-5/16” x 17-5/16”

Weight

15 kg; 33 lbs.

These specifications are even better and the CD-S2000 plays
both standard CD and SA-CD discs. However, the biggest difference is the
CD-S2000's 33 pound weight, over twice that of the CD-C600. This indicates a
superior transport, power supply, shielding and overall construction. I have no
personal experience with the CD-S2000, but I would guess it is built to last.
The lesson here is that the biggest difference in the price of CD players may
not be glaringly obvious from their electrical specifications. A close physical
examination of different CD players can be revealing.

Upscale units will usually track better than less expensive
models. Tap or rap the case while the unit is playing to check for this. Of
course, critical listening is the final test. All CD players do not sound alike. Listen for the model
that most accurately reproduces music with which you are familiar. (Take a few
of your own CD's along when you audition CD players.)

In addition to CD and SA-CD players, there are components
that can play DVD video discs in addition to audio CD's. Like standard (audio only) CD
players, these audio/visual components vary in both price and quality. They are
convenient for use in home theater systems and high quality units, such as the
McIntosh MVP871, are also found in high quality two-channel music systems. The
MVP871 can play standard compact discs (CD, CD-DA, video CD), SA-CD's, DVD
Audio/Video, HD-CD and MP3, all with very high levels of fidelity. As you would
expect with a McIntosh product, it is well made and beautifully finished. All of this does not come
cheap; the MVP871's MSRP is a hefty $5000.

Most CD players come with a remote control that allows you
to select Play, Pause, Stop, Fast Forward, Fast Reverse, Next/Previous track,
Single track, Repeat, Continuous Play and Shuffle Play from your listening
position. There is usually a numerical key pad on the remote that allows you to
select any track by number and often a volume control.

On the front panel of most CD players is an On/Off power
switch, a button that opens and closes the CD drawer and some or all of the controls
duplicated on the unit's remote control. On the back panel is, at least, the AC
power cord and stereo Left/Right output jacks that allow you to connect the CD
player to your pre-amplifier, integrated amplifier or receiver. These usually
accept patch cords with coaxial RCA plugs. Hook-up is fast and simple.

Most of us have accumulated a considerable number of audio
compact discs since the format's introduction and we need a good CD player to
enjoy this music library. As with all stereo components, in the end it pays to
buy the best CD player you can afford. Look for (1) performance specifications
comparable to other players in your price range, (2) a player you like the
sound of, and (3) the best built unit. Less important features, such as
remote control convenience, can be used as tiebreakers.